URL: https://democracy.cheltenham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3491

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member Safety and Communities

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: To allocate £31,975 in Community Pride grants as follows:   1.      Multicultural Community Heritage Association Eid Reunion 2026:  £1500   2.      Chinese Culture Connection Chinese New Year: A Celebration for All Communities:  £1000   3.       Art for All Mental Health Nature Journalling in Pittville Park for Mental Health:  £2000   4.       Friends of Leckhampton Hill & Charlton Kings Common (‘FOLK’) Training Our People:  £600   5.       Be a Good Neighbour Thursday Tea After-School Club:  £1100   6.       Pride in Gloucestershire Pride in Cheltenham:  £2000   7.       Fresh Hope – The Armoury Gym The Armoury exercise classes for those with disabilities:  £1100   8.       Parish of West Cheltenham Parochial Church Council Re-landscaping St Aidan’s Garden:  £1500   9.       Cheltenham Paint Festival 2026 Cheltenham Paint Festival 2026:  £2000   10.   Friends of Sandford Parks (FOSP) Renovation of Gottingen Garden:  £1100   11.   Public Hearts Defibrillator Campaign Public Hearts Defibrillator installation with bleed control kit:  £1840   12.   Springbank Community Group CIC Gardening for Wellbeing:  £1100   13.   Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees Connecting Communities Through Film:  £1385   14.   Brizen Young People’s Centre Summer Holiday Youth Activity Scheme:  £2000   15.   Cheltenham Education Partnership CEP Activity Programme:  Skills Builders and Changemakers themes:  £1950   16.   Read With Me Every child reading – Cheltenham:  £2000   17.   St Michael’s Cornerstone Trust Play Trail:  £1500   18.   The Greenwoods Foundation CIC The Moors Forest School Club:  £1050   19.   Monkscroft Pastoral Care Project Family Planting and Water Fun Group:  £1750   20.   KAM Performing Arts Academy CIC West Cheltenham Arts Community Choir:  £1400   21.   Fairview Community Association (FCA) Rebuilding and relaunching our Digital Community Hub:  £600   22.   The Rock Primary Club:  £1500         The council made available £30,000 to allocate to local good causes that help build community pride.  Grants of up to £2000 were available on a 50% match funding basis for projects to deliver one or more of these key themes: Connecting people - fostering new relationships and celebrating our culture and diverse communities Enhancing biodiversity - improving green spaces and the natural environment Supporting children and young people - helping them to thrive and reach their potential Developing neighbourhood hubs - creating spaces that engage and support young people Promoting wellbeing - encouraging physical and mental health across our communities The Community Pride Fund was open for applications from 1st October until 11th November 2025.  An assessment panel made up of the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member Safety and Communities, Angela Gilbert from Gloucestershire Rural Communities Council and Richard Gibson and Helen Down from the Council’s Communities, Wellbeing and Partnerships team met on 9th December 2026.  The panel reviewed the 32 applications received (which totalled £53,602) and made the above recommendations for 21 projects that met the assessment criteria to the Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities for approval.  The total allocation is £31,975, including £1,975 from a previously allocated grant which was unclaimed.  Due diligence checks on the applicants were carried out in line with the grants management policy.   Finance Approval   Budget is in place to support this arrangement. Due to the timing of the projects’ completion, it is expected that allocation will be carried out across two financial years. This will have to be accounted for appropriately ensuring budgets are utilised and managed across those years.     Not applicable.

Date of Decision: February 3, 2026